I've actually encountered people from both categories, TFTC. I think it's probably more common to see people who aren't huge hip-hop fans toss out Tupac as "the greatest" despite 1) having very little basis for comparison and 2) less than extensive knowledge of his music.

Tupac was an icon. But in terms of technically rapping ability there are many that have been better. IMO Nas is the best technical rapper ever of course that dose not always translate to somebody's favorite or the best.

I've listened to both extensively and grew up in the era when they were alive.

Just from my point of view , Pac was the last political voice in hip hop. No one since his death has even come close to his brash attack of the establishment. He was a hero of mine who was multi talented and rapping just happened to be one of his more visible attributes. Pac was a great actor and poet. His poetry book "a rose that grew from concrete" is an incredible work.

Pac's lyrical skills wernt his strong point but his message in most songs was heavier than mile long meteorite . Pac was the complete package with an almost "Christ" like presence even until this day.

Biggie is one of the most dope MC's to ever bless the mic. A Wordsworth , a wordsmith and a lyrical assassin. He represented the east coast very strong and ushered in the era of great NYC MC's such as Nas, Jay Z and Mobb Deep.

IMO its kind of comparing Apples to Oranges even though the two career paths of both men are so intertwined twoards the end of both of their lives

quote:Just from my point of view , Pac was the last political voice in hip hop. No one since his death has even come close to his brash attack of the establishment. He was a hero of mine who was multi talented and rapping just happened to be one of his more visible attributes. Pac was a great actor and poet. His poetry book "a rose that grew from concrete" is an incredible work.

Pac's lyrical skills wernt his strong point but his message in most songs was heavier than mile long meteorite . Pac was the complete package with an almost "Christ" like presence even until this day

1. You're putting Pac on way way way too high of a pedestal. What is this "political voice" of which you speak? The song "changes"?

1(a). And before you ask, yes I've heard nearly every song Tupac did up to and including the Killumanati album. If they put out albums of his posthumously, I didn't listen to them.

2. I agree that Tupac was an excellent actor. Had he not died, I think he would have ended up doing more acting and less music. It would have been interesting to see if he just completely sold out like Ice Cube and started doing cheesy kids films.

quote:What is this "political voice" of which you speak? The song "changes"?

LOL @ Changes

quote:The song was a #1 hit in Norway and The Netherlands and reached the top ten in the singles charts of several other countries, including #3 in the United Kingdom. It is one of 2Pac's most notable and popular songs. Released posthumously on his album Greatest Hits, the song talks about all of the different issues that were related to 2Pac's era of influence - notably racism, police brutality, drugs and gang violence.

me against the world **** the world representin 93' keep ya head up rebel of the underground words of wisdom souljas story souljas revenge if i die 2night outlaw death arounf the corner white mans world***** to and die in la hold ya head against all odds blasphmy theres lots more but here are some panther power

Tupac's mom gave birth to him in a jail cell as she was a Black Panther and a political prisoner at the time. He is named after a great Aztec warrior. The men who helped raise him were Bobby Seal, Stokley Carmichael and Jeronimo Pratt just to name a few.

If you still doubt Pac's political message please listen to THISand tell me Tupac wasn't political.

I don't hold any entertainer on a pedestal. I call a spade a spade and Pac was socially and politically enlightening to me. He was flawed just like any other man.

Didn't care for him when he came out with his whiny arse voice. Now, there isn't anyone out that could complete with his flow or his lyrics. The one with Wayne, No Love, I just smh listening to him go off. And Warning Shot, the dis on Mariah, frickin cracks me up.